The city of Wilmington is still planning to build a Smith Creek kayak launch near the intersection of McRae Street and Cornelius Harnett Drive.

In May of 2013, the city council voted to spend $232,435 on the project, which also includes a parking area and boardwalk.

Before construction can start, city officials need to complete negotiations with a private property owner, said Amy Beatty, the city’s superintendent of recreation and downtown services.

While discussions are “very positive,” Beatty said she could not say exactly when the launch will open.

A state grant should pay for the bulk of the cost of the launch. The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Division of Coastal Management awarded the city $175,000 to help pay for the project. The city provided a $57,435 cash match along with a $28,774 of in-kind work by city staffers. Last year, Beatty said the grant requires the project to be completed by October 2014.

UPDATE: On Oct. 7, 2014, Amy Beatty told the StarNews that the city had received an extension on the grant and was still negotiating with the property owner.

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